Filming at judges' houses had to be halted as uncontrollable Ayda Field broke down on set, forcing husband Robbie Williams to ride to her rescue.

The actress was "a mess" after facing up to the prospect of sending X Factor contestants home.

Her crying got so bad that a long break was called as she tried to compose herself for the crucial stage in the show, according to the Sun.

Robbie had to burst in and comfort his wife - and the American, 39, had to re-apply her make-up after reality dawned that she would be breaking the hopefuls' dreams.

Robbie Williams and the judges listen to the acts (Image: ITV Picture Desk)

Ayda has already shown her emotional side this series (Image: Supplied by WENN)

Robbie had to ride to the rescue as filming was stopped

“All the show’s execs were ­trying to help but she was a mess, it really hit her hard," a show source said.

“She completely broke down when she had to say ‘no’ to her contestants. At one point she was crying really badly and they had to stop filming. Robbie went in to ­console her and was hugging her and trying to calm her down.

“I think having the new baby and the reality of what she was doing really hit home. She said she needed some time and space from everyone to compose herself. Everyone was left twiddling their thumbs for quite a while.”

In a sure-fire way to win viewers round, the mother of three will show her caring side after the joint-£10 million deal to sign her and the former Take That star was widely criticised.

Her place on the show was called into question on social media (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

Many questioned why the husband and wife combo were picked to judge (Image: Getty)

Boss Simon Cowell picked the pair to arrest a ratings slump but there's been no improvement so far.

The opening weekend saw its lowest figures since the show began 14 years ago with just 5.7 million tuning in - down 500,000 on last year's curtain raiser.

In last weekend's show, Ayda told 18-year-old Chloe Jane McAllister that she too had felt heartache - because hubby Robbie had ditched her three times!

Simon Cowell needed the new-look panel to win the ratings war (Image: REX/Shutterstock)